The 104 yeshiva students on trial for trespassing during a demonstration two months ago against the St. Joseph’s Convent School here, declined to take an oath today in accordance with the practice of Israeli courts in allowing persons to testify without an oath if taking the oath was contrary to their religious convictions.
Defense attorney Shmuel Tamir said here today that three of the youths would take the stand and exercise their right to make statements without cross examination by the prosecution. The trial resumed today after a recess of several weeks due to the illness of the Chief Magistrate.
In testimony before the court, one of the defendants said that the demonstrations had been directed not against the Christian religion but against attempts by the mission to convert Jewish children by “bribing the poor, unfortunate parents.” He said the demonstrators had no intention of causing injury or damage and that none had been caused. The trial is scheduled to resume on Sunday.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
